Mets decline $25 million option on Johan Santana

NEW YORK (AP) — The Mets have declined a $25 million option on injured pitcher Johan Santana and will pay the left-hander a $5.5 million buyout.

The left-hander will be 35 next season and becomes a free agent.

The decision Friday completes a $137.5 million, six-year contract that was agreed to before the 2008 season.

Santana was a two-time Cy Young Award winner with Minnesota. But he went 46-34 with a 3.18 ERA during the term of the deal, missing the 2011 and 2013 seasons following shoulder surgery. In 2012, he pitched the first no-hitter in Mets history.